The click of heels coming from the foyer subdued every conversation. Only Martha was exclaiming in anger. "What the hell, Pete?!"A girl came into view. To say she was beautiful, was understating it. She looked like a goddess and even walked like one. But something told me she was going to be one evil goddess.I might be wrong."Hey babe." She squealed as soon as she saw Jared and ran to him."Hey, baby." Jared was happy to see her as well. He stood and hugged her. They exchanged a brief kiss. I should not be watching them display their affection so openly but I couldn't help it. Someone cleared their throat, I jerked my eyes away to meet Martha's hateful one. She had seen me moping hopelessly at them like some pervert.Ashamed, I brought my head down. I couldn't even look at Uncle Pete to know if he had seen or not. "So who is marrying who?" She asked again, taking in everyone's faces. She stopped when she got to mine, a small frown appeared. "Who is she?"Pulling her close to him
It's been two days. I had been to another hell and back. I'd visited Christian at the company but he had ordered no one to let me in. Uncle Pete had gone with me for support. I had tried the house my father built with his hard earned money, same mean treatment. Even his ex-girlfriend — now girlfriend — Denise Kellers, had treated me worse. She's splashed cold water on me before I saw it coming. I was currently in the car with Uncle Pete crying my eyes out. "He doesn't want me anymore, uncle Pete. What have I done to deserve this? I didn't plan for this to happen.""I'm sorry you're going through this. But at a point, you have to make a choice." He comforted me.I wiped my tears and stared at him. "You do not expect me to marry Jared, do you uncle Pete? He doesn't even like me. Did you not see how he and his mother and girlfriend treated me?""Martha has never been an easy woman. Jared is short tempered and sometimes too stoic for his own good but that doesn't make him a bad person."
My phone rang while I was in the room. I had been given a room in the Johnson's mansion but Jared and his Martha were mad at me for not agreeing to the marriage yet.That was after I'd changed my initial yes to a solid no. They would not understand. I had everything to lose and they would just enjoy the proceeds of this marriage into the Johnson family.Uncle Pete was the only one who was patient with me and he was also asking Jared to be patient with me too. Excitement and nerves bloomed in the pit of my stomach when I saw the caller ID. Christian.Had he changed his mind? Was this going to work for me after all?Eager to find out, I picked. "Hello.""Hey. Uhmm...I need to see you." He said.I gauged his tone. It was calm. There was none of the meanness or bitterness when he talked to me. It was as if we were back to how we used to be. "Okay, where?" This was too real to be true but I had to believe that Dad's advice was saving my marriage.Maybe he was ready to talk. Maybe he was
Nerves forgotten, a big smile lit my face as soon as I stepped into the garden of the five star hotel.That was where I had met Christian. He used to work as a bell boy. I had come here with dad for few business meetings.His charm and handsome features has swept me off my feet. It was in the garden of this hotel we had first kissed. This was the same place he had proposed to me. This place held memories that were dear to me and if he had invited me here to meet with me, he also cherished the memories. My eyes scanned the arena, searching for him. "Hailey." I turned to see him standing close to a table for two. The setting was intimate, making my heart flutter within. I had missed him so much. I ran to give him a hug, he wrapped his arm around me and every nerves unknotted, excitement grew. That got me emotional and I struggled to hold back tears. "I'm so sorry, Christian. I-it was a mistake. I-I was not aware. I p-promise it won't happen again. Please, forgive me."My words wer
I entered the passenger seat, barely acknowledging Uncle Pete holding the car door for me. I was drained in every way possible. My head hurt, I felt like I was hit by a truck transporting tons of brick. And I would not stop crying.Uncle Pete climbed in beside me. It was late already. I had no idea how long I'd stayed on the floor in that garden crying my eyes out. But when I'd realized my phone was ringing, I had seen it was late. Uncle Pete had been the one calling because he'd been worried about me. "He doesn't want me." I divulged amidst pains gnawing through my broken heart. "You'll be fine, Hailey. Let's just get you home and cleaned up." He patted my shoulder and then started the car."Where's home now?" I asked, sniffling as more tears fell."It's wherever you want it to be." Came his wide reply.He passed me a comforting smile and drove me back to the Johnson's mansion. Like one who had seen a ghost, I got down from the vehicle and trudged into the house."I don't have t
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The handful of guests that had been invited clapped and cheered us on. This was it. I was married to a stranger. A guy I barely knew. "Smile, Hailey." He whispered harshly beside me.I turned to look at the man who had become my husband. The man who ruined my marriage had become my husband.If life wasn't some mysterious bitch, then I didn't know what it was. I mustered a smile as the shutter clicks of camera were heard and seen in almost every direction. The needlessly expensive ring on my ringer felt heavy.I'd removed a two-year old wedding ring just a week before to replace it with a new one today. Literally ten minutes ago.I was twenty two and married twice already. This was unbelievable. My life was unbelievable.It's been two weeks since I'd signed the divorce papers. Martha had mocked me after I'd returned and for the days that had followed, it had not been easy.There was nothing to do now. I had a baby to raise. The morning sickne
I was stunned when I realized the state of my wedding dress. "Why would you pour ink on this dress?"My tone came out squeaky and a bit scared. I hated it but there was nothing I could do to stop it. "W-what are you trying to do?" I moved back when she would not reply and still approached me with a pair of scissors.My back hit the clean yet cold tiled wall of the bathroom and kept my gaze on her. "You think you can have my spotlight?!" She spat angrily."I-I...drop the weapon, Mia." I pleaded, I was trying to run out of the bathroom stall before she could get ahold of me."You think you can spring out of nowhere and marry Jared, you fool?!" She was rushed at me and pressed the weapon to my throat, also pinning me hard to the wall.I whimpered as fear overwhelmed me. "P-p-p-please, Mia. Don't d-do this." I begged."Any more pressure to your neck and your blood will spurt everywhere." Her tone was cold and menacing.She sounded like a psychopath who would only be too glad to cut my t
"What is happening here?" Jared walked in looking a bit out of sorts.Had he run down here? "What the fuck, Hailey?! What is this?" He slowly walked to my front and stooped before me."Ask your girlfriend, Jared. She did this." A small part of me hoped he would believe me.Barely twenty four hours into this family and I was already seeing hell. "What are you talking about?" Jared's tone carried befuddlement."Stop lying, you wretched girl!" Martha cursed."Don't listen to her, babe." Mia was speaking in her 'pity me' tone again."Can someone explain to me what is happening here? Why is her wedding dress torn and her underwear in view?" He was looking me, expecting answers from any one of us."I...""I came into the bathroom to pee." Mia started, cutting me off. "I noticed she followed me and came at me with a pair of scissors and a jar of ink. I was surprised to see her but before I could react, she wanted to pour the ink on me. We struggled and only a little smeared on my skin whil
JARED I know what I was about to do would cause trouble, but I had to do it. Moreover, if she never found out, there would not be a problem. I drummed my fingers on the desk, waiting patiently in the visitor's room. I wasn't the only visitor here, there were others, some were waiting as I was."Well, well, if it isn't the man of my dreams." She was brought before me, taking a seat opposite mine. "Let's go." I began to rise from the seat. "Go where? And just like that?" She raised a brow."Just yesterday, you didn't want to go to prison, today, you're reluctant to leave?""I believe the right word is hesitant. How do I know you're not taking me out of here to go kill me?" She retorted."Kill you? What for? Of what use will your death be to me, Denise?" I sat back down, meeting her gaze. She shrugged, her eyes not leaving mine. "You tell me, Jared.""See, I wouldn't be here if it's not important." I began."Ah-ha! So I'm guessing Hailey doesn't know you're here." It was more of a s
PHILIP"I'm going to kill her! That bitch!" Rage had me in a choking hold."She might be innocent, you know?" Derek said, climbing in after me.We were on our way to the airport, about to leave the country. It was midnight and Derek had pulled some strings, landed us a private plane. For a man who came from nothing, he had connections.Well, he did have money now."She's not innocent...well, she used to be. But that is not the woman I married. I don't understand her anymore. Damnit!" The more I thought about that letter and the fact that my wife had sent it to threaten me, knowing she had gone through my privacy was enough make me resolve to kill her."Whatever man. Let's just leave the country first, revenge will come. Your company is in good hands, that's all." He assured me with a companionable slap on my back. "What are we still waiting for? Let's get going." We were yet to board and the pilot was ready and waiting."I'm waiting for someone." His gaze was searching.Even though i
"This will solve nothing, you know that." She complained bitterly as the policeman cuffed both her wrists. "It'll put you in jail for killing my father." I spat at her.We had just returned from the President's place, I'd called the police to come arrest Denise and take her away. "And then what, Hailey?" She reached the base of the stairs where I was, standing in my face. Her hair and eyes wild. "Then what?!"The policeman was pulling her away from me but she stood her ground, unmoving, still in my face. I took a step closer and our noses were almost touching. "And then I'll find your step father and make him pay for what he's done.""You don't know him like I do, Hailey. Derek Kellers is smarter than you think. You need me to find him. I can help you find him." The policeman was pulling her back, struggling to have her head towards the door. "Let's join hands and defeat him, Hailey. I can find him. I know him.""I don't need your help." Her stubbornness and insistence roused more
"So her father is...was the owner of Codza Company?" The President eyed me in surprise."Yes, Bronx. She came from money. She's not poor as many tend to think." Uncle Pete replied. We had gone to visit the President after uncle Pete had spoken to him. He had asked us to come to his office, Jared wasn't invited but he followed regardless. He was still upset with me but at least, he wasn't totally ignoring me and the fact that I had helped saved Nina. No one talked about or knew anything about her kidnap or release, it was kept under wraps, from the prying eyes and ears of the public, which was a smart idea on my part."Oh. That's a surprise though." He regarded me with a simple look before facing uncle Pete once again. "What's your plan? I've called the Chief of Police and they are yet to get back to me with any useful information.""So it was basically useless coming here." I rose from the chair, fighting back my tears and anger, with the intent to leave. "Hey, watch your mouth, y
"oh God no! No. No." With trembling hands, I picked up my phone and dialed the line again. It made a disconnected beeping sound. I tried again, same thing. "This is all your fucking fault!" I yelled at her. I heard footsteps. There was uncle Pete. "Hey, what's going on?""She..." Words failed me as I thought of dad on his deathbed asking me to take care for the company and turn it into a great legacy. Dad had told me the story how he started that company. And I'd given it away to the wrong person for love. A stupid, blind, one-sided love! "Derek was already there, at the company. He was already siphoning the cash when we called." Denise provided, although she was talking in a voice that didn't sound like hers. "Damn!" Uncle Pete sighed. "Come here, Hailey." He pulled me up from the floor I'd subconsciously reached on my knees. "So long as you still have the company, we can make it grow. Your father's legacy will continue.""How?" I cried. "The bastard wants to blow up the place
"Hello, ma'am.""Yes, Kazim? Are you in yet?" I asked.The reason I'd asked for the code was because I knew Derek would not give up the company up so easily and right now was just not the best time for court cases. In fact, someone like Derek didn't do legal issues. I didn't want to do anything that would make him know it was me and come for my son. Being the background, getting back what was mine was the way to go. When I ran the plan by Jared and uncle Pete, they saw my reasons as valid and supported me. "No, ma'am. The passcode is incorrect. I've been trying to break in but nothing's happening." He explained."What?" My eyes were now hazy, all I could see was red. "Are you sure of what you're saying?""Yes. Did it twice, nothing. I didn't want to risk a third time." He informed.Anger swirled. "I'll call you back." I ended the call. "That bitch!""What's wrong? It didn't work?" Uncle Pete was studying my expression."Incorrect passcode. She gave me an incorrect passcode." I repl
"Are you ready to make the call?" I eyed Denise who was trying way too hard to control her anger. Her eyes filled with resentment glared. "Do I have a choice?" Her tone was coldly spiteful.But I could care less. I stepped further into the room. "Yes, you do. I mean, assuming you want to spend the rest of your life in prison with your would-have-been stepmother.""I don't even know the hell who that woman is but I'm sure she's a better bitch than you are." I knew she was trying to rile me up. To get me to be as angry as she was. And I knew better than to give in. A smirk crooked a corner of my lips. "I'm sure Catherine will agree..." I drew a chair close to her bed and sat. "...and I agree too. You know, six years ago, I was a bitch to you and everyone else albeit a pathetic, sad, weak one. When I left the picture, I decided if I was going to be called a bitch by everyone, I'd rather be a badass bitch than a pitiable one. So here we are. Now, talk time is over. You making the call
"Uncle Pete just told me you hired your ex-husband." Jared said the moment I walked into the living room. It was time to prepare dinner. I eyed uncle Pete. "Really?"He was at the table, on his computer. There was a big home office/library in this house but uncle Pete mostly preferred working in the living room. His smile was a bit sheepish. "Sorry. It kinda fell out when we were having a conversation." Then he directed to Jared. "I thought you promised you won't tell her."Jared didn't reply him, rather he kept his gaze on me. "Why would you hire your ex?""Technically, uncle Pete hired him.""Because you gave the order.""Don't make it sound like a military thing. I didn't give any order. It was a request.""Same difference. Why?" He pressed further. "Why not?" I shrugged, walking past him to go see what uncle Pete was working on."Do you still have feelings for him?"His question threw me off, I was not expecting it. I narrowed my gaze at him. "Mind your business."His jealous e
CHRISTIAN"Why haven't you been picking my calls, man?" Jerome's annoyed voice came on the other side of the line."Today was the interview, remember?" His reason for being annoyed was rousing annoyance from me as well.Emotions inside of me warred as I had watched Hailey walked out on me. I'd always known Astra-Z Corporation was a big company and currently ranked best in the country.Stepping inside had put me in a daze plus the salary. Fuck! It was quadruple of what I'd expected. If they could pay me that much as a new employee, what about the experienced ones and old staff?I wanted from it. I wanted to own it. I wanted to run it and the only way was to court Hailey. Yes, I wanted her too back into my life but damn! I was too ambitious to pass up the opportunity to run the company with her."Alright, where are you now?" He questioned."On my way to my place, why?""You have a place now?"